Author Archive for The Catholic Free Press

By Tanya Connor and William T. Clew The Catholic Free Press Three “missionaries of mercy” designated by Pope Francis lived in the Diocese of Worcester during the Jubilee Year of Mercy, but did some of their work outside the country. As “missionaries of mercy,” Assumptionist Father Dinh Vo Tran, and pastors Father Peter J. Joyce […]

By Susan Bailey CFP Correspondent Brilliant ideas often come at the dinner table. This was the case recently with Jeff and Rose Lawrence and their grandchildren. During a discussion regarding a CCD project taking place at St. Edward’s in Westminster involving Our Father’s House (an organization serving the homeless in Fitchburg), one child posed a […]

By Christina Galeone CFP Correspondent Is there room for Jesus – and his followers – in your inn? This weekend, Dec. 10-11, the National Religious Retirement Office will give parishioners in the Diocese of Worcester the chance to be the “innkeepers” who make that decision to have a positive, life-enhancing impact on the lives of […]

By Tanya Connor | The Catholic Free Press “A lot of people I know stopped going to church,” a local Catholic told The Catholic Free Press this week. Why? They felt they’d done things for which they couldn’t be forgiven. His solution? Become a priest. “I always desired to help people,” explained Deacon Joseph David […]

By Tanya Connor | The Catholic Free Press WORCESTER – Two men are to be ordained during a 10 a.m. Mass, Dec. 17 at St. Paul Cathedral. Deacon Joseph David Rice, of Our Lady of Providence Parish at St. Bernard’s Church, is to be ordained a priest. Henry Ramírez Pínzon, of Colombia, is to be […]

By Tanya Connor | The Catholic Free Press WEST BOYLSTON – Evangelization was the focus as a Catholic choir launched its first CD Saturday. St. Andrew’s African Choir Ministry recorded the music CD, titled “The Gift of Love,” (Zawadi ya Upendo in Swahili). The 16 choir members from various countries sing for African Masses at […]

By Tanya Connor | The Catholic Free Press WORCESTER – A Holy Cross graduate from a family prominent in politics and social service returned to his alma mater, promoting Pope Francis and the college’s retreats. Mark K. Shriver, nephew of President John F. Kennedy and president of Save the Children Action Network, spoke at the […]

By William T. Clew | The Catholic Free Press HARDWICK – St. Aloysius School in the Gilbertville section of town is alive again, thanks to support of parents, teachers, St. Aloysius Parish, the Worcester Diocese and especially members of the McQuaid family, which has provided “bucks, brains and brawn” to bring it to life. It […]

By Mark Pattison Catholic News Service WASHINGTON (CNS) — A Catholic military chaplain and historian says the attack on Pearl Harbor, even 75 years later, continues to rivet the attention of Americans because it is “such a powerful event.” As the anniversary of the Dec. 7, 1941, attack neared, Father Daniel Mode detailed the effect […]

By Judith Sudilovsky Catholic News Service BETHLEHEM, West Bank (CNS) — Even the Christmas decorations seem more cheerful this year in Bethlehem. A new display of Santa’s reindeer and sleigh were about to alight at the main traffic circle on Manger Street, and a big white Christmas tree made of lights perched merrily next to […]